Meet the Staff and Faculty | OptionsANIMAL

Meet The Staff

Collectively OptionsANIMAL Instructors have over 100 years of trading experience and over 40 years of stock & options training experience.  We have educated over 8,000 students in our 6-Step Trading Methodology. 

Greg Jensen

Founder & CEO

Founder and CEO of OptionsAnimal, Greg Jensen, is an options investor, speaker, and author. His book, "Spread Trading - An Introduction to Trading Options in Nine Simple Steps," like his cutting edge and innovative education, focuses on giving investors the tools and knowledge to put the odds of success in their favor.

Trading Style: CONSERVATIVE

Favorite Trading Methods

  • Collar Trades
  • Covered Calls
  • Calendar Trades
  • Selling Verticals
  • Double Diagonals
See Greg's Full Bio

Jeff McAllister

VP of Education

Jeff McAllister has over 25 years of trading experience. He is a professional trader, speaker, and mentor. Jeff is recognized as an options trading expert in the private sector. He has educated thousands of investors, helping them achieve their financial goals.

Trading Style: CONSERVATIVE

Favorite Trading Methods

  • Credit Trades
  • High probability/low return type trades
  • Legging into and out of Iron Condors
  • Selling Verticals
  • Calendar Trades
  • Double Diagonals
  • Collar Trades
See Jeff's Full Bio

Charan Singh

Instructor

Charan Singh began as a student in 2006 and graduated, becoming an instructor at OptionsANIMAL in 2009. He is out to persuade investors that a stop-loss order is not an acceptable approach to risk management.

Trading Style: CONSERVATIVE

Favorite Trading Methods

  • ITM Covered Call
  • Bull Put
  • Collar Trade
  • Married Put
See Charan's Full Bio

Karen Smith

Instructor

Karen Smith has over 20 years of trading experience. She began her trading career in the early 90's using mutual funds as her primary trading vehicle. She managed her personal portfolios while acting as comptroller of her family business. After joining OptionsAnimal as a student in April 2009, she quickly realized that this educational opportunity would positively impact her trading results for a lifetime. Sharing this benefit with others was one of her goals, so she was thrilled to join the OptionsAnimal coaching staff in May, 2011. Knowing how to remain profitable in any trend scenario has taken her success to the next level.

Trading Style: MODERATE

Favorite Trading Methods

  • Credit spreads
  • Diagonals
  • Covered calls
See Karen's Full Bio

Eric Hale

Instructor

Eric Hale discovered trading options in 2004. He read lots of books and even tried a popular training program prior to OptionsANIMAL. After mastering the OptionsANIMAL method, he uses that knowledge to trade successfully and to teach other investors to be successful as well.

Trading Style: MODERATE TO AGGRESSIVE

Favorite Trading Methods

  • Harnessing implied volatility
  • Bull Put
  • Collar Trades
  • Iron Condor (Pre-earnings)
  • OTM Double Diagonal
See Eric's Full Bio

Horace Taft

Instructor

Having watched professional managers rely on diversification and long time horizons to weather the “Great Recession” and the concurrent market downturn he became convinced that there must be a better way protect capital and profit from the market action of equities.  That is when he discovered the versatility and flexibility of the options market.  He strongly believes that with the right tools and understanding most individuals are the best stewards of their own money. OptionsANIMAL represented an opportunity to gain the knowledge and understanding necessary to successfully manage his and his families investments without relying on paid managers.  He has been a full time trader since graduating fromOptionsANIMAL in 2012.

Trading Style: MODERATE

Favorite Trading Methods

  • Collars
  • Credit and Debit spreads
  • Calendars and Diagonals
See Horace's Full Bio

Our Students Love Us

Excellent
OptionsANIMAL4.9
Rob Helean
4 years ago
After many years of trying, I now have confidence I can make great passive income through trading. Without OptionsANIMAL, I doubt I would have ever got there. The instructors and courses are great! I have not had a losing trade since joining. What has being key for me are the exit strategies, when Plan A has failed, you have a Plan B, Plan C.... This is key to becoming a success. In addition, I have found the weekly review a great watch. A good pulse check for how my own trading is going!
Michael Canzoniero
1 year ago
Options Animal – A Solid Investment for the Right Person If you're seriously thinking about joining Options Animal, here’s what I’ve found to be true from my own experience. First off, this isn’t for everyone — and I mean that in a good way. Options Animal attracts a unique kind of member: curious, serious about financial education, and committed to growth. The membership tends to be smart, experienced, and inquiring. The community is intelligent, well-educated, and experienced, but also welcoming and supportive. People are friendly, down-to-earth, and genuinely interested in helping each other grow. If that sounds like your kind of group, you’ll probably feel right at home. That said, this program is best suited for investors who are ready to put in the time. The program expects you to study, apply what you learn, and take a hard look at how you're doing, you’ll find tremendous value here. There’s meaningful homework. There’s a process. But if you’re committed, it really does pay off. Discipline is also key. The instructors provide a clear, structured approach. When I deviated from that structure, I felt the consequences — but also gained important insight. Mistakes become learning opportunities here, and that’s part of what makes the experience so worthwhile. One of the big strengths of OA is how they teach you to be flexible. They teach you to adapt to market conditions, not just follow a static strategy. It’s clear they live by this principle, and their teaching reflects that. Most importantly, you’re never on your own. The team at Options Animal is always available, approachable, and incredibly generous with their time and expertise. Whether you're asking questions, learning from live sessions, or following along with real trade recommendations, you’ll feel supported every step of the way. Each instructor brings a different perspective, which allows you to find an approach that matches your style and goals. Now, about the cost: if you're thinking of it as an expense, it might not feel worth it. But if you see it as an investment in your financial future, it makes a lot more sense. You're paying for education, structure, and guidance that can really make a difference. You don’t need a huge portfolio either — the strategies can scale. A perspective regarding returns (ROI), the payoff improves with time. As your skills and confidence grow, so does your ability to generate solid returns. For me, this has absolutely been a smart investment — one that continues to pay dividends both financially and in terms of personal growth. For the right individual, Options Animal is more than just a program — it’s a powerful, ongoing advantage being a really solid investment — in every sense of the word.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your detailed and insightful experience with Options Animal. We're thrilled to hear that you found value in our community, structure, and instructional approach. Your emphasis on discipline and adaptability perfectly captures what we strive to teach our members. It’s rewarding to know you see your involvement as an investment in your financial future and personal growth. We appreciate your feedback and support!
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